Their opinion of Charlie couldn’t have backflipped harder from that first night, and everyone wondered just how Ali was seemingly blind to it all.

Amidst it all – the frontrunner confirmed to NW magazine that he has a son, information that was not conveyed to Ali at any point during the show’s filming, despite telling her he was interested in having children.

“I chose not to speak publicly about my child as I wanted to ensure their privacy was protected,” he told the magazine.

On tonight’s episode, Charlie’s “knight in shining armour” illusion finally shattered for Ali in a heated argument between the two, resulting in Charlie leaving the mansion before the rose ceremony.

Why?

Well, after cancelling plans to meet his family, he essentially tried to force Ali into telling him how she feels, while refusing to disclose his own feelings.

Which is… not how the show works.

“Knowing that there are other people involved kills me, it eats me up,” he said.

“Until I know we’re exclusive… I’m not going to say those words.

“Like your mother said to you, don’t just say it Ali,” he added, infuriating Ali who told the camera, “He’s trying to tell me how I feel.”

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“You can’t help but not have control,” Ali rebutted when she confronted him back at the mansion, before finally showing him the door.

Seriously – I am actually having a pretty visceral, emotional reaction to this. I know that seems bizarre, but honestly, watching this is a little triggering re: a past abusive relationship. I wonder if any other women are reacting the same? #TheBacheloretteAU